Things pts do that make you want to go hit your ahead against a brick wall.

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We've all had them. Pts that do things that just make you go and hit your ahead against a brick wall a time or two. Or really, really conteplate pillow therapy.

Here's what my pt did today.

She was trying to move her bowels - (very, very bowel obsessed lady). She has to be put in a side lying position in bed and use her diaper, because this is the "only" way its works for her (she is a hoyer lift, and sitting her on a commode is difficult). Well, tonight, she decided to stick her hand down the diaper to see if she was done. Of course, she got feces on her hands, the sheets, her gown.... Full bed change, gown change, scrubbing of hands req'd. She said she "didn't think that she would get feces on her hands doing this". Don't know what she expected to find the woman knew her bowels were moving! Things like this just make me wonder what the heck is going on in some peoples' heads. "Hey - I think I'll stick my hand down there to see if I've pooed or not! What a great idea!".

Any other stories out there?

CathyLew

1 Article; 463 Posts

Specializes in MSP, Informatics. Has 17 years experience.

Oh the reach arround is older than the hills! you will see it time and time again! and sadly, someday, I feel we will all do it!

mamamerlee, LPN

949 Posts

Specializes in home health, dialysis, others. Has 35 years experience.

None in her hair? The bedrails? This is a daily occurence in some areas! Find a padded wall to smack your head against!

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide

VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN

142 Articles; 9,981 Posts

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych. Has 26 years experience.

At my facility, we have one lady who "fingerpaints" every chance she gets. She is a former RN who would no doubt be ashamed and revolted at her behavior if she still had her wits about her, but a couple of bouts with brain cancer have destroyed the smart, funny, compassionate, and dignified woman she once was.:cry:

Specializes in Gerontology. Has 37 years experience.

This woman is alert and oriented. She KNEW what she was doing! I can deal with it when people have dementia and don't know what they are doing - I've had plenty of "finger painters" in my time - and even one who would blame it all on her stuffed pig-friend. That I can handle. But this woman did this deliberatly!

ShayRN

1,046 Posts

Specializes in Corrections, Cardiac, Hospice. Has 18 years experience.

Attention seeking, perhaps? I walked more than once to see demented people snacking on their finds.:eek: I guess the one that drives me the craziest it when they come in for symptom management, then we get them under control and when they go home they change the way they take their medications. I don't get it.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide

VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN

142 Articles; 9,981 Posts

Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych. Has 26 years experience.
This woman is alert and oriented. She KNEW what she was doing! I can deal with it when people have dementia and don't know what they are doing - I've had plenty of "finger painters" in my time - and even one who would blame it all on her stuffed pig-friend. That I can handle. But this woman did this deliberatly!

Now THAT'S icky.:no:

Although I've gotta tell one on my dh: when our kids were babies, he'd check their diapers by sticking a finger down the back. Naturally, he came up with poo as often as not.........yecch.:eek:

coffee4metech

230 Posts

Specializes in OR.

hahahah thats hilarious I think she just wanted attention thats is very annoying sometimes ....

Specializes in Med-Surg.

There are far worse offenses, but this is the one I dealt with all day. The little old lady that needs nothing when you make rounds, but 5 minutes after you sit to chart needs water/pain pill/bathroom/finger paints/ect

Specializes in intensive care major medical centers.

I had an alert and oriented woman in my unit that kept using her yankur to scratch her kat then suction herself out

Specializes in Dialysis, Long-term care, Med-Surg.
I had an alert and oriented woman in my unit that kept using her yankur to scratch her kat then suction herself out

LOL!!!!!!!:chuckle

Sue Damones

139 Posts

Specializes in ICU.

Not a patient, but MANY family members lately:

Looking at the Diprivan bottle---

"That's not the stuff that killed Michael Jackson, is it??!!!???"

:banghead: (THANKS MJ)

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